Merlicious 3

by Cara Preston, Cheryl Bonner, Laura Kitchell

  He slammed into her over and over again so that they tumbled around and around in the water above and below the surface. He pushed her up against an underwater rock to pump her. At last, he came inside of her, his juice combining with hers and spilling from their joined bodies.

  They rested a few minutes, locked together. But soon enough the frenzy rose again, and they had to pump and roll around. His lips would sear her throat, her shoulder, chest and her naked breasts. And meanwhile his shaft burned inside her sex. She flexed her sex muscles to squeeze him and suck him deeper into her body, while her hands stroked and encouraged him.

  Only a catastrophe would break them apart now. They would remain joined, making love and climaxing repeatedly. If they were like most merfolk, it would go on for the next several hours. Days, she thought in wonder, judging by the size and hardness of his shaft inside her.

  She had thought tales of this kind of loving were fables. Now she knew they were true. She was complete at last.

  The End

  A Fish Out of Water

  by

  Barbara Donlon Bradley

  Sarah McIntyre's klutziness could get her fired. Her last chance is a dinner function. Did fate or bad luck bring the stranger to her? www.geocities.com/barbbradley

  I would like to thank the Chesapeake Romance Authors and my critique group for they do. Denise Jeffries, Cheryl Bonner, Andrea Jackson, Lawan Williams, Phyllis Hartley and Jasmine Harris—you guys are the best.

  A Fish Out of Water

  by

  Barbara Donlon Bradley

  Chapter One

  "What the hell!” Sarah McIntyre's boss jumped up from the chair as hot coffee splashed into his crotch. “Damn it, Sarah! This is the third time this week. What has gotten into you?"

  She wished she knew. Nerves, she guessed. “I don't know, Mr. Milici. Guess my mind was drifting."

  Sarah shook her head to keep the tears from falling as she grabbed a napkin and started to blot at his crotch. She jumped when he grabbed the napkin from her hand.

  "If you weren't so good at your job I would've fired you a long time ago.” He dabbed the napkin against his suit. A quick look put a grimace on his face. “And get that coffeepot away from me."

  "Yes, sir, and I'm sorry.” Sarah sat the pot down on a filing cabinet. “It was an accident."

  "I know. Why don't you take the rest of the afternoon off? Maybe you can pull yourself together? Find a date for the office function in a couple days?"

  She nodded.

  "And Sarah? One more screw up, and you won't be working here.” He gestured at his clothes. “I can't afford the cleanup anymore."

  Sarah slunk out of Mr. Milici's office and tried to ignore the snickers she heard coming from her co-workers. They were all jerks anyway.

  Leaning her back against the door to the stairway, she pushed it open. It was five floors down, but she always took the stairs. Someone once asked her if she was afraid to take the elevator, and she laughed it off, but deep down inside she was. The last time she was on an elevator the darn thing wouldn't land on her floor, and she had to pull herself up out of the car onto her belly because the floor didn't come up high enough for her to just step out. Not very dignified in a two-piece suit.

  Her car sat in the front row. The clank of her keys on the ground made her want to pound her head against the roof of her car, but she knew someone would be looking out the windows. Instead, she picked them up, unlocked her door and climbed inside.

  A half hour later, she stood at the edge of the shore searching for rocks to throw. She really hated her life. Nothing worked in her favor. The job of her dreams turned out to be a nightmare—one of her own creation. She picked up a shell fragment. Anything to help focus her mind so she could figure out how to stop her klutziness.

  "I wish...” She pitched one shell as hard as she could. “That I could find...” The second partial shell went flying. “A man. Wait. Not just any man.” One of the fragments she held in her hand caught her eye. “Oh, this one is pretty. It's a keeper."

  "Now let's see. Where was I?” She unconsciously rubbed the iridescent shell. “Right. I need a man who cares. Who will not judge me by my mistakes and quirks. Who has a big heart. Who will be willing to help me with my little problem without questions."

  She spotted a partial conch shell. Finally, something with a little weight to it. A grin spread across her lips when she grabbed it. “This will make me feel better."

  Like a baseball pitcher, she wound her arm up and let the shell fly.

  A deep cry of pain fractured the air.

  "What the...” She headed toward a cluster of boulders. “I didn't even throw in that direction."

  Another sound filled the air. Sarah wasn't sure if she heard a growl this time or another wounded sound, but she definitely heard sounds of struggling. She darted between several boulders and found a man with his feet trapped. “You okay?"

  He just stared at her.

  "Do you need help getting up?” It looked like his feet were wedged between two rocks. She frowned when she noticed his bare feet. Glancing up his leg, she found no pants. “Holy cow!"

  "Problem?” His voice came out rough, grainy. Like he had sand in his throat or had swallowed a lot of saltwater.

  "Um, you—you're naked.” She didn't mean to blurt it out but couldn't stop the words once she started talking. “I don't see too many naked men in public."

  "Naked?” He stared at her with the most startling blue eyes.

  Sarah noticed his voice seemed stronger. “Yeah, lack of clothing?” A moment ago she would have bolted from him, but something told her he needed her help.

  "Oh."

  The one word responses started to bother her. Didn't he have anything else to say? “Look. I don't mean to put you out."

  "Put me out?” He paused for a moment. “Um. Is naked a bad thing?"

  She blinked at his question. “Well, yeah, in public. Unless you want to go to jail without a stitch on.” She couldn't help but like the view. He didn't seem to be shy about it either.

  "No?"

  "You don't sound convinced.” She looked around to see if anyone was close enough to see him if he stood up. “If we're careful, I can get you to my car without you being seen."

  "That's good?"

  "Unless you want to be found here naked and trapped. This is the most popular beach in the area."

  "And where are we?” He glanced up and down the beach like she did.

  "Near Boston. Come on, we don't have much time.” She stepped around him to get a good look at his feet. “How the heck did you do this? You're really wedged in."

  He didn't answer. Just pushed and pulled against the rocks trapping him. A slight groan filled the air, and the rocks shifted enough to release his feet.

  Sarah sucked in her breath when he stood up. My god. He stood about six foot four. Tall, thin. Nope, thin didn't work because his well-muscled body would never be called thin or skinny. Not bulky like the boys who flex their big biceps at the beach. He was more like a swimmer or a martial artist. Sleek. Yeah, that was the word, sleek. Like a porpoise or dolphin.

  There was no way she would let him walk to her car like that. “Um, I might have a jacket or towel or something to cover you up in. Why don't you wait right here?"

  "All right.” He didn't sound that secure. “You promise to come back?"

  "Sure do.” She trudged through the sand in her bare feet. “What am I doing? He's naked. A total stranger. Could be some sort of masher."

  Yet she kept walking. “I can't possibly be thinking of bringing this man home with me. All I need to do is just climb in my car and leave. At least that would be smart."

  * * * *

  Mika watched as the sad young woman walked away. He sensed her anger and fear. There was something about her that drew him to her. He had only wanted to watch the humans play on the shore, not get trapped on land. But her inner song called to him. And now she was thinking about leaving him high and
dry. Mika snorted at the thought before clearing his mind and sending his thoughts to her. You don't want to leave this man alone. He needs you. You need him. He won't hurt you, and you know that.

  Her thoughts told him her name was Sarah. He watched as she paused by her car. Her mind jumbled as his thoughts mixed with hers. She was fighting him. Sarah feared him and the idea of befriending this stranger.

  He felt sorry for her. She really had no choice now. Her heavy heart called him to the shore, and the shell she wished on made him answer her cry. The worst part was she didn't know it was all her doing and probably wouldn't understand if she did. Humans. They can be so dense at times.

  A grin flitted across his face for a moment when he saw her walking back toward him with something in her hand. Good. She bowed under the pressure.

  * * * *

  Sarah didn't know why she was walking back toward the stranger. She didn't care how buff he looked, it was too dangerous, yet she couldn't seem to stop herself. “If I end up on the eleven o'clock news tonight, I'm going to kill myself.” Of course, if she ended up on the news she'd most likely already be dead.

  As she drew closer, she noticed his mouth. Was he trying to smile? His bared teeth looked more like he was getting ready to brush. Then it disappeared just as fast.

  Her heart beat faster as she neared. Maybe she could give him the clothes and then leave. That would work. Be a Good Samaritan and then scram.

  "Are those for me?” His pale blue eyes flashed in the sunlight.

  All she could do was nod. He kept taking her breath away. How could a man be so good looking? Da Vinci could have used him as a model. In fact, every time she looked at him she kept thinking of David, the famous sculpture.

  The clothes slipped through her fingers as he gently grasped them. They never broke eye contact as he slipped one arm and then another in the sleeves. A giggle escaped her when she realized he had the darn thing on backward. “If you keep wearing it that way you'll have problems breathing."

  "Oh?” He took the garment off and looked at it like he didn't know what to do with it so she mimicked the procedure on how to put the jacket on. He gave her another strange smile as he slipped it on the right way.

  Good thing it was an oversized sweat jacket. If it had been one of her suit jackets, the sleeves would have hit him about mid forearm, if he could get his arms in the sleeves. His smooth rippling chest would overpower the rest of the jacket. He'd look like a monkey. A handsome hairless one, but he would have looked ridiculous. That was for sure.

  "Wrap this around your waist.” She handed him a towel before pretending to wrap something around her.

  He planted his hands on his hips. “What am I to do?"

  Great, now she saw him as a pirate. “Wrap the towel around your waist to cover your—your—you know."

  He looked down. A quick shrug and he wound the towel around his midsection.

  "Come on.” She turned her back on him and started to her car once more, hoping he wouldn't follow her.

  A thud stopped her in her tracks. When she turned around, she didn't spot him. Not right away. It was his flailing feet in her peripheral vision that caught her eye. “What the—? What happened?"

  "I'm not sure."

  She helped him to his feet. “There's nothing to trip over."

  "I'm sorry.” He clung to her arm like a child. She couldn't help but notice he wasn't too sure on his feet. Was he drunk? That would explain so much! “Look, how about I drop you off at one of the missions. I'm sure they can help you dry out."

  He stopped short at her words.

  * * * *

  Dry out? No wonder humans were so crazy. If he dried out, he'd die. “I'll always need water."

  She looked at him oddly.

  What did he do wrong? Don't humans drink water anymore?

  "Okay.” She stopped in front of the metal box again. “I'll take you to the mission not too far from my work."

  Sarah signaled him to walk around to the other side. Once she ducked her head and climbed inside he knew to follow suit, but climbing into that metal trap didn't sit well with him. It couldn't be safe. Mika lowered his head and crammed his large body into the small seat. A loud bang filled his head before it blasted with pain. He grabbed his head. A squeal escaped him.

  "Oh, man that must have hurt."

  He couldn't even nod, it hurt so bad. Closing his eyes, he hoped the pain would pass quickly. The warmth of Sarah's hand against his head surprised him. He jerked back. Except he hadn't gotten into the seat properly and his head was still too high. He banged it again. This time he leaned it forward and rested it on the hard form in front of him.

  This thing was dangerous. A roar made him jump. This time with his hands on his head. The box vibrated.

  "Put on your seatbelt."

  What was that? He looked around and found a weird piece of cloth hanging from the ceiling of the vibrating box. Looking at Sarah, he noticed the thing coming across her chest and waist only to disappear beside the chair she sat in. Mika grabbed the material and found it pulled down easily, but he had no clue how to keep it from going back up into the ceiling.

  She gave him a disgusted look before snatching the thing and jamming it into a small metal bracket he hadn't noticed before. A loud snap echoed in the car.

  Mika stared forward. Not knowing what was going to happen next petrified him. The box vibrated harder as it slowly moved. “What are you doing?"

  "Driving.” She looked ahead of them, watching something, but kept glancing back at him. “Oh, come on. You can't tell me you've never been in a car before."

  "Okay.” He'd seen enough of these things from the edge of the ocean to know humans used them everywhere. They even drove on the sand in some places. But how would Sarah take it if he told her this was the first time he'd been on land. That he still hadn't quite gotten his earth legs yet. “I've never been in this type of car before."

  The comment seemed to make her angrier. “I'm sorry if my little car doesn't live up to your standards, but then again I wasn't the one trapped, naked at the shore."

  "I—watch out!” They veered around a corner surrounded by dry decaying dwellings. Humans were ninety-six percent water, just like his people. How could they survive like this?

  "What? Are you from Europe?"

  "Yes?” He wasn't sure what difference it made, but it placated her.

  "Well then, hang on to your seat. This will only take a second."

  He did as she asked and was grateful when she flew around another corner. Mika wasn't sure he could handle much more of this.

  "Here we are.” The box slowed down and stopped in front of one of the dry dwellings. A big wooden sign hung over the door claiming anyone could enter. The largest letters stated it was the South Street Mission. “This is where you can stay."

  She wasn't getting out of the car. What did he need to do to stay with her? “I can't go in there."

  "You have to.” Sarah turned in her seat to stare at him. A hint of fear filled her eyes.

  He didn't like knowing he put that look there. “It doesn't smell very good.” The odor floating out the doors wrinkled his nose and churned his stomach. He didn't think he could go in there without becoming ill.

  Sarah turned toward the door. Her hair had a thousand highlights in the sun. So beautiful.

  "I'm not going to hurt you.” Her emotions lay so close to the surface he could read them easily. “I promise."

  She turned back to look at him. Sunlight danced in her eyes. “You don't understand."

  "I do.” Mika looked deep in her eyes. Her heart would accept the truth. “You're afraid I'm some sort of crazy guy that will do great harm to you. I'm not that sort of man."

  "And how do I know I can trust you?” She slapped her hand over her mouth the moment the words slipped out.

  He took her hand and placed it on his heart. “I'm here to protect you. To help you."

  "Help me?” She pulled her hand away. “Who said I needed
help?"

  "You did."

  "I did not.” She inched back in her seat.

  "You did.” He leaned forward and touched her heart. “In here."

  "You're crazy.” Sarah scrambled out of her car. “I don't know who you are, where you came from. I want you out of my car and out of my life."

  Now what? He had to convince her to keep him. If he didn't, he would never go home.

  Chapter Two

  She stood on the concrete looking lost and sad. It came off her in waves. In fact, it was attracting the wrong type of people. Several slimy men surrounded her.

  "Hey, sister, you looking for a good time?” One of them stepped close to her, making her body tense.

  Mika didn't think. In seconds, he had stepped out of the car and put himself between her and the foul smelling man. “You will not harm the lady."

  "And who are you? Her guardian angel?"

  "Her protector.” He stared down at the other man.

  "I ain't gonna hurt her, just want to talk to her.” He smiled when he noticed what Mika had on. “Lost your clothes?"

  "It was destroyed when I proved to another man that I was her protector."

  "You talk funny, dude."

  Mika stopped for a moment and opened his mind to the thoughts of those around him. Thousands of voices filled his head, different languages, colloquiums, phrases. “Forget how funny I talk and understand that I'll break every bone in your body if you step any closer.” He grabbed the man by his collar and lifted him off the ground. A quick shake followed to show he was serious. Just to make sure the other man got his message, Mika puffed up his chest.

  The man gave him a weird look but nodded. When Mika put his feet back on the ground the guy took a step back.

  Someone tugged on his arm. It was Sarah.

  "Get in the car,” she said in a soft voice.

  Car. Now he knew what to call the box. “But—"

  "Now.” She pulled a little harder. “Before the rest of those guys put their minds together and beat the crap out of you.” She kept tugging on his arm, forcing his feet to move.

  "But I don't want to get back in that thing."